{"id":199655,"date":"2026-03-03T12:00:05","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T20:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=199655"},"modified":"2026-03-03T12:00:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T20:00:05","slug":"governor-newsom-on-new-care-court-measures-to-get-more-chronically-mentally-ill-off-streets-awards-291-million-in-funding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=199655","title":{"rendered":"Governor Newsom on New CARE Court Measures to Get More Chronically Mentally Ill Off Streets, Awards $291 Million in Funding"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hayward, CA…Following California\u2019s first<\/a> statewide drop in unsheltered homelessness in more than 15 years \u2014 a 9% decline \u2014 Governor Gavin Newsom announced new accountability measures to speed up the adoption of CARE Court and awarded $291 million to expand supportive housing and behavioral health services statewide. The actions strengthen enforcement of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act and accelerate housing and treatment expansion through Proposition 1 and Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funding.<\/p>\n

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As part of today\u2019s announcement, the Governor is designating ten communities that are leading the state in successful implementation of the CARE Act as \u201cCARE Champions\u201d and providing targeted state support for ten underperforming counties being placed on an \u201cimprovement\u201d list to strengthen implementation and ensure communities see results to get chronically mentally ill individuals off California\u2019s streets and into support and housing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Care and accountability go hand in hand \u2014 full stop. Through CARE Court, we have seen inspirational stories of recovery and resilience, but many counties continue to lag behind their peers. Local leaders\u00a0 have a moral and legal obligation to deliver this transformational tool for those who need it most. We will not accept failure and excuses when lives are on the line.<\/p>\n

Governor Gavin Newsom<\/small><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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CARE: Treatment, not tents<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The\u00a0CARE Act<\/a>\u00a0is a cornerstone of the state\u2019s work to modernize California\u2019s behavioral health system and confront homelessness after decades of systemic failure.<\/p>\n

CARE is a first-in-the-nation approach to empower individuals suffering from untreated or undertreated schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders to get the treatment and housing they need to recover and thrive. For many suffering from these illnesses, navigating the mental health system and maintaining a consistent treatment plan is difficult \u2013 whether finding and maintaining care or finding appropriate housing. Through CARE, individuals are connected with a team of providers and support, under the guidance of a civil court judge, to ensure those who need voluntary treatment do not have to go through the process on their own. While CARE Court is overseen by a civil court judge, it is not punitive, but instead structured for the participant\u2019s success. The process begins with a petition to determine eligibility, which can be submitted by the individual, a family member, first responder, or mental health professional.<\/p>\n

Counties delivering CARE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

CARE Court programs began in eight participating counties in 2023 and were fully implemented in all 58 counties by December 2024. Since that time, more than 3,800 petitions have been submitted to courts. In addition, counties have reported more than 4,000 CARE diversions: cases where individuals considered for CARE have been reached and connected to services without need to engage the court. More than 1,851 people have continued through the CARE Court process.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe CARE Act reflects California\u2019s belief that compassion and accountability must go hand in hand,\u201d\u00a0said California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Kim Johnson.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cIt offers people living with severe mental illness a real path to treatment and stability, while making clear that every county has a responsibility to deliver. When CARE is implemented effectively, lives change, and we are committed to ensuring that promise is realized statewide.\u201d<\/p>\n

CARE Champions\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Every county is required to implement the CARE Act, and those that have leaned in to ensure that this valuable resource is available and prioritized are reporting success.<\/p>\n

Today, Governor Newsom is awarding ten counties as \u201cCARE Champions,\u201d a designation that reflects they have successfully implemented CARE Court within their communities and have the highest rates of petitions on a per capita basis. Per capita rates are calculated using the 12 months of calendar year 2025, representing the first full year in which all 58 California counties were required to participate in the CARE Act, allowing for consistent statewide comparison. The state\u2019s first cohort of \u201cCARE Champions\u201d are:<\/p>\n